Cash Bar at Reception?

@Future Mrs P - honestly an open bar sounds like a great and cheap plan for your wedding! Ask your venue if you can do a consumption bar (only charged for what is consumed) limited to just beer and wine. Limiting to just beer and wine will make everything cheaper, and since you have some underage guests and not a lot of big drinkers the bar should end up being pretty cheap!

So, my friends and family would get mad for not being served free alcohol, but they'd be okay with not being invited at all? That is very different than I view it. If someone who I would invite to share the biggest day of my life would get angry with me for not paying for their alcohol, then I'd say screw them. No friend that I'd have would ever leave my wedding early because of alcohol. Weddings are not about free alcohol. They're about celebrating the new bride and groom.

For those who think that guests feel "entitled" because they expect alcohol at a wedding, it's not about entitlement. Their expectations are correct, because etiquette states that proper hosting includes providing alcohol. You wouldn't charge your guests to drink at a dinner party at your home, right? It's the same thing.

@OP, if you are legally allowed to, host a consumption bar of at least beer and wine. That means that the bar is open to guests (they won't pay), but you only pay for what was served. If you don't have a lot of drinkers at your wedding, it may be considerably less expensive than having a fully hosted open bar that you pay for up front.

Or, if you can, buy your own alcohol from a store that lets you return unopened bottles.

Always have a licensed bartender and insurance for your wedding.

I agree with @Catti on the idea of buying alcohol (through a parent or the like because of yalls ages) if your venue will allow you. Get yourself a Costco or Sam's Club membership or whatever is in your area to pick up beer, wine, and champagne. My FH and I had to do that since our venue had a ridiculous price jump for a bar serving mix drinks/hard liquor. I know alcohol is $$$ but it can be manageable. Let your guests enjoy themselves.

ETA: correct credit to give

@jacks I agree that for some it is rude. I think it depends on size and how close you are to everyone. No one needed drinks after the 3 hours, I feel that was why my friends did it.

@OP honestly if no one is that worried about the drinking you might even cut it out all together? Then take that money and put it somewhere else. Maybe a smoothie bar or something fun.

I'm only 23, so I understand being young and trying to plan out a wedding. I went from 5000 to 8000 because of wanting to please my guests. Luckily I am a chronic saver with money. But sometimes you do not have the option.

It's sooo much less stress on you if you just take it out all together. Hopefully your guests are like you with having fun without drinking

Paige, your idea of hosting beer and wine only is fine. Just don't make people pay for things. Maybe add a signature drink in there too, and you're good to go.

I get the vibe that everyone who is saying that it is NOT rude is having a cash bar themselves and don't want to face reality. You can have a great wedding but people will ALWAYS remember that there was cash bar and they had to open up their wallets after spending money on attire, transportation and/or hotel, the gift, etc.

No wonder people are drowning in debt lol. Yes, be broke for show and for others. That's the American way.

Cheryl, then cut your guest list. If you invite the amount of people you can actually afford to host *gasp* you won't be broke! What a novel concept!

@Marion, many of us are buying houses or already own homes, renting, paying student loans, paying current school tuition, paying for their kids' expenses, paying huge medical bills, paying to care for sick loved ones AND paying for our own weddings as proper hosts. It's not easy for all of us, but once we invite other people, it stops becoming about us. Some people can properly host 3 guests, for others their guest count may be 400. But the point is that their guests have a quality experience.

ETA: this is also for Cheryl.

Cheryl. None of us is saying go over budget. None. If you can't afford to host people, cut the guest list.

Lol Richard

@Jacks I appreciate the back and forth being so kind. I guess we differ in opinion about the cash bar. Again I think it depends on guests.

I am doing beer wine and two signature drinks. (Not sure what yet) and then lots of champagne. (My favorite!)

I realize this post isn't about me, but I can sense my bridesmaids getting annoyed of me so I wanted to share

@lillybean no worries. I'm not going broke for alcohol. Also not cutting my list. Luckily I don't care about so called traditions as determined by a wedding forum. I win!

This has been said one too many times on WW, and people still don't get it: If you can't afford alcohol, you can't afford your own wedding. Period.

This is seriously like playing Whac-A-Mole.

The ONLY way I'd attend a cash bar or dry wedding is if it was local and cost me $0 to attend. And I'd stay for 2 hours tops.

I just want to say again she is 21 and her FH is 20. It's a different dynamic at that age. Please keep in mind. Ok love all of you!

Cheryl, you shouldn't be going broke AT ALL. Or did you miss that point? I didn't charge for it, it was right there for the taking.

I think it would definitely have a lasting impression. I recommend having only beer and wine. Its less expensive. If cost is a bigger factor consider cutting your guest list. The fewer the guests the less expensive to keep everything in your budget. If you need to, skip programs, favors. menus & STDs. Thatll give you a little more money for alcohol. Another option is to push your date back so you can save money to host your guests properly. Honestly I've been to a cash bar wedding. I traveled for it, hotel room, new dress/shoes, gift etc. I left early. Many other guests did too.

Won't be over budget at all. But I appreciate the concern? @heather you're not invited sooo...